Small But Mighty Purchases Under $25 That Changed My Daily Routine

Life feels more hectic and expensive than ever. With the rising cost of living, it’s easy to feel like small purchases don’t make much of a difference. But sometimes, it’s the little things, especially the affordable ones, that end up having the biggest impact. I’ve rounded up the best under-$25 gems that may be small but have made a mighty difference in my day-to-day life. From getting out the door faster to sipping café-style coffee at home to never losing my keys again, each of these little upgrades has added more ease, joy, and sanity to my life. It’s proof that you don’t need to spend a lot to make things feel a little more pulled together.

_{Prices are accurate as of April 15, 2025. Subject to change.}

Slice Ceramic Blade Safety Cutter

This is at the top because it’ll make unboxing the rest of this list easier! The Slice Ceramic Blade Safety Cutter has eased my frustration with opening packages. The small ceramic blade easily glides over the toughest tape or wrapping. Slice is a safe option for anyone in the family, too — no more dangerous scissor slicing. Its magnetic body allows it to live conveniently on your fridge door.

Side Sleeper Eye Mask

One of, if not the most important parts of a person’s routine is sleep. Good sleep changes lives! If you’re like me, living in a city with persistent light pollution or even in a room that has lots of buttons lit up through the night, a quality sleep mask is a wonderful investment. The MZOO sleep mask is designed with your eyes in mind, having a concave cushion allowing for zero pressure while you sleep and blocking out all light.

Milk Frother Wand

With costs rising, saving on small things like your daily coffee can make a difference, but there’s no need to deny yourself a foamy and frothy treat to start your day. Buy a frothing wand once and save long-term. I use my frother every day to elevate my coffee routine, and I no longer miss those café-bought lattes.

Silicone Stretch Lids

It doesn’t matter if you’re a seasoned chef or someone who barely cooks, these silicone bowl and cup covers will likely get daily use in your household — they do in mine. We use them to cover everything from open cans of cat food to half-used cucumbers to mugs of leftover coffee. They’ve saved us from the constant hassle of plastic wrap and tin foil, and they’re both dishwasher safe and microwave friendly. Total win and worth the price. 

Kitsch Satin Heatless Curling Set

This one won’t be for everyone, but if you have long hair and want a low-effort way to get great curls, this heatless curling tool from Kitsch is a game-changer. I throw it on after a shower and go about my morning routine, answering emails, making coffee, and tidying up, and by the time I’m done, I’ve got soft, pretty flawless curls with zero heat damage.

Metal Shoe Horns

I didn’t realize how chaotic my getting-out-the-door routine was until I discovered shoe horns. Seriously, these little tools opened my eyes to just how much time and effort I was wasting wrestling with my shoes. I used to squish my fingers, occasionally break a nail, and generally start my day slightly frazzled. Now? I grab my trusty shoe horn and slide into any pair with zero hassle.

CeraVe SPF 30 Tinted Mineral Sunscreen

Switching to a tinted sunscreen has made a huge difference in my morning routine. I have mild rosacea and the occasional breakout, and before this, I’d spend extra time using makeup just to tone down the redness. Now, the tint evens things out enough that I can skip half my products and still feel confident walking out the door. Plus, CeraVe is a high-quality mineral sunscreen, so I know my skin’s protected, too

Tile Slim Bluetooth Tracker

If you’re someone who’s constantly running late because you’ve misplaced your wallet, keys, or phone, Tile products might just change your life. There are two main models: a slim one that slips easily into your wallet, and a sleek, lightweight keyring attachment. Both connect to your phone via Bluetooth, so you can ping them with a tap and hear a sound that helps you track them down fast — if it’s attached to your phone, you can find it even if it’s on silent. The only downside is that there are no more excuses for being late.

Glass Water Bottle

If you haven’t already upgraded to a reusable water bottle, it’s time. I’ve owned several over the years, and my favorite has to be this reusable, dishwasher-safe glass water bottle. It comes with both a spout lid and bamboo straw lid, so I love that it can be 100% plastic-free.

Feature Image Credit: Vitaliia Hryshchenko/ iStock